No Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Our no bake peanut butter balls are super simple with just 5 ingredients. Peanut butter is combined with powdered sugar and butter then coated in melted chocolate for a handheld holiday dessert kids love. Gluten-free.

These chocolate peanut butter bites are absolutely incredible! Our version uses ingredients you likely have on hand and keeps the directions kid friendly. This is definitely a recipe any young chef at home will want to make on their own.

For more kid approved no bake desserts, check out our No Bake Cheesecake Bites, No-Bake Cookie Dough Bites, and Peanut Butter Pie (No Bake).

close up view of no bake peanut butter balls

Easy Peanut Butter Balls

It is fun to create kid friendly desserts at home that are also gluten-free. It is a chance for kids to learn that baking gluten free recipes can be enjoyable and rewarding.

This recipe for chocolate covered peanut butter balls is no exception. It is a twist on a traditional buckeye recipe made with celiac safe ingredients!

Kids will learn everything from measuring and mixing to melting and drizzling chocolate when making this peanut butter balls recipe. Plus, they even have the opportunity to customize their treat (find inspiration below!).

Our Caramel Apple Slices, Gluten Free Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies, Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes and Mini Flourless Chocolate Cake are other popular desserts that kids love too.

To get started on this sweet treat, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 stick butter, melted
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips ✅
1 tablespoon coconut oil ✅

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

peanut butter ball ingredients in mixing bowl

How To Make

In a medium-sized bowl, mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and melted butter with a handheld mixer until well blended.

Using a small cookie scoop, roll into 1-inch balls. Place onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper and place into the freezer or refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Melt the chocolate

Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave-safe mixing bowl.

Heat in 30-second increments stirring in between until melted. Don’t overcook.

chocolate chips and coconut oil in mixing bowl

Dip the peanut butter balls

Place a peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate with a fork, covering it with chocolate. Let the extra chocolate drop off, tapping the fork on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.

Place it back onto the baking sheet using a butter knife to carefully remove it. Repeat until all the balls are coated.

OPTIONAL: Use the fork to drizzle extra chocolate across the peanut butter balls to add a decorative chocolate drizzle on top. You can thin the chocolate by stirring in a little extra coconut oil if needed.

chocolate peanut butter ball drizzled in chocolate

Chill

Set the peanut butter balls aside to harden or place them into the refrigerator.

Storage Instructions

Store peanut butter balls in the fridge in an airtight container up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Creating a double or triple recipe and storing the rest is a great way to keep gluten-free treats on hand, especially around the holidays and special occasions.

As you host or attend events, you can easily grab these peanut butter balls from the fridge or freezer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What peanut butter to use?

You can use creamy or chunky peanut butter. Pick your preference or what you have at home.

Can you add mix-ins?

Mix-ins are a fantastic way for your kids to put their own twist on this recipe. You can encourage them to add in any desired ingredient when the peanut butter is added to the bowl.

How many does a single batch make?

A single batch will make approximately 30 peanut butter balls depending on the size of the cookie scoop.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Mix in sprinkles, chopped nuts or shredded coconut into the peanut butter mixture. This can be a fun surprise when family and friends take a bite into the peanut butter ball.
Add colored sprinkles to the top after dipping in chocolate for a festive touch.
When melting chocolate, wear oven mitts when removing or placing the bowl into the microwave.
Chilling the peanut butter batter helps to harden the dough, making it easier to dip and drizzle the chocolate.

More Gluten Free Peanut Butter Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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